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Tundra. By: Tiffany Watson & Tim Fletcher May 8, 2013 5 th Period. Description. Treeless plain that is located in Arctic or Antarctica and that is characterized by very low winter temperatures short, cool summers; and vegetation that consists of grasses, lichens, and perennial herbs.
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Tundra By: Tiffany Watson & Tim Fletcher May 8, 2013 5th Period
Description Treeless plain that is located in Arctic or Antarctica and that is characterized by very low winter temperatures short, cool summers; and vegetation that consists of grasses, lichens, and perennial herbs.
Location Tundra is located in Alaska, Northern Canada, and edges of Greenland. The land is frozen grass land and frozen land.
Climate The temperature rarely gets above -18 degrees F (-8 degrees C). June sometimes reach a balmy 50 degrees F. Winters are long, cold, and dark compared to the bright summer months.
Plants Some common plants include the bearberry, arctic moss, Caribou moss, Diamond leaf willow, Labrador Tea, Pasque Flower, and the Tufted Saxifrage. The bearberry is a plant with red berries and green leaves. Another plant in this harsh biome is the Labrador Tea. Diamond leaf willow has green leaves and small round twigs that are soft.
Plant Adaptation • Labrador Tea is found in peatlands, tundra and moist coniferous woods and is a frequenter of swamps, muskegs and bogs, though it may be found in drier, rocky places in the mountains. The plant is an indicator of wet, usually very acidic and nutrient poor organic soils and is widespread at low and medium elevations.
Endangered Animals • Polar Bears is a endangered animal in the Arctic. the polar bear is a snowy white creature is the arctic. Polar bears ranges across northern Alaska Canada. Polar bears use the pack ice to ambush seals, a major food source. In 2008 the bear is listed as threatened. Polar bears gather in one spot around a block of ice.
Animals • Arctic Fox-The Arctic fox (Alopex lagopus) makes its home in small burrows in frost-free ground, Because the Arctic fox is a scavenger it can usually find food to eat. Sometimes the fox will follow Polar bears or other predators and feed off the remains they leave behind. • Caribou-The caribou is a sturdy animal with short legs. Its coat is brown and becomes darker in the summer and lighter in the winter. It has a ruff of long hairs under the neck, and the fur above the hooves and around the tail are almost white. • Polar Bear-They are the largest carnivore on land. They have a black nose and eyes. They have two layers of fur which is so warm that adult bears can easily overheat when they run. The polar bear's fur is really clear, not white. • Musk Ox-The musk ox can live in the harsh conditions of the arctic tundra because its 24" long hair and woolly undercoat ward off frost and provide insulation. It has a sturdy build. It looks like a huge dust mop on hooves. • Snowy Owl -The snowy owl is considered to be one of the largest and most attractive of the owls. It is called the snowy owl because of its white feathers.
Environmental Issues • The environmental issues are global warming, hunting, and oil companies. hunting is making the animals endangered. These areas of the world are important, though they are facing many challenges, both natural and manmade.
Fun facts • The word "tundra" is derived from the Finnish word "Tunturia," meaning barren land or treeless plain. • During the 50 to 60 days of summer, the suns shines 24 hours a day. • he growing season is approximately 180 days.
Sources • N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print. • "Tundra." Tundra. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2013. • http://www.trails.com/list_2428_environmental-problems-tundra.html • N.p., n.d. Web. • Yirka, Tonya. "Fast Facts on Biomes in the Tundra." EHow. Demand Media, 06 Jan. 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2013. <http://www.ehow.com/list_7741621_fast-biomes-tundra.html>. • "Tagxedo - Creator." Tagxedo. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Apr. 2013.